Sewer cleaner



April 3o, 1940. A. E. KELPSH 2,198,823

` SEWER CLEANER Filed Aug. so, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 April so, 1940. A.E. 'KELPSH sEwER CLEANER Filed Aug. 50, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A .27,/lelpsh u ...Liu u' ,l STATES PATENT.,- oFFIcE f 2,198,823 f i I SEWERCLEANER Andrew E. `Kelpsh, Miami Beach, F1a. Application Augst 30,1939,serial No. 292,737

d 2 Claims. This invention relatesto a sewer cleaning apparatus and `hasspecial reference to a self-pro` pelled` apparatus of `this character. y

, One important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus ofthis class wherein are combined mechanical and hydraulic means forcleaning a sewer in advanceof the instrumentality` employed.

`A second object of the invention is to :provide a mechanical sewercleaner combined `with a hydraulic cleaner wherein, whenever the me#chanical cleaner becomes clogged by accumula` tionin front thereof thehydraulic cleaner may I be brought into play sothat a clear path isestablished for the mechanical cleaner. i

With the above and other objects in' View, `as

will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in' general ofcertainnovel details of construction and combinations of parts'hereinafter `fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings`and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, like ,characters oftreference indicatelike parts in the several views, andi d Figure l shows a verticallongitudinal section through a sewer with the invention applied theretounder one conditionof application.`

Figure 2 is a View similar to `Figurel but showing a second arrangementof the invention.

, Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the invention as applied tothesewer of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the arrangement `as shown in Figure 3. I

Figure 5`is an elevation on the line 5-5 of Fig-` ure 3f I w Figure is asection on the line 6`6 of Figure 4.

In the drawings herein illustrating the embodiment and use of theinvention there is shown in` Figures` land 2,`a sewer section I havingmanholes II and I2 at opposite ends of the section I0, the flow beingfrom the manhole structure I`I towards the structure I2 as indicated bythe arrows I3. i

"The `cleanout instrumentality yforming the` present invention`includesja piston or disk I4 adapted tofiit` closely within thesewersection I0. This piston ordisk while herein shown asincluding a lowerpart I and anupper part `I6 which are connected above "the linediancentral lines of such partsby hinges` I1 so that the upper part I6 canbe folded back with respect to the lower part I5 may be formed of aplurality of `sections similarly connected together.

` The lower part I6 is supported on `alcarrage consisting of a pair ofparallel members II between which is journalled a forwardi supportingwheel I8. Journalled in the members I'l' is an axle I9 whereon issupportedwheels 20.

The upper section I6 is connected by links 2| with a slide member 22normally held forward by springs 23. The slide member 22 is guided byyokes 25 and has a shaft 26 engaging beneath said yokes. The slide 22 isconnected to a pull cable as at 28 and this pull cable 29 passes under apulley 30 secured to the rear of the members I1' andh extends rearwardlyunder a pulley `3| carried by a prop 32 disposed in the manhole II asshown inFigures 1 and 2 to the exterior of the sewer where suitableoperating means (not shown) are connected thereto.

It is to be observed that the parts I5 and I6 f are connected by arubber sheet 33 severed laterally on a line with the hinge jointasindicated by the letter C and are cutaway as at 3| to enable folding or`angular disposition thereofwith respect to each other, said rubbersheet having its centercut out as indicated by the letter D in thedrawings.

In order to hold the device down andprevent side` lashing of the samewithinthe sewer a suitable weight` 34 is secured to the members I1.

A `:forwardly extending n 35 is secured to` the part I5 in` order tofacilitate the forward movement of the device over uneven points or anyfixed obstructions.

In operation, the device `is set up as in Figure 1 and by hydraulicpressure therebehind will force the sludge forwardly as at S. Eventuallythis will` result in jamming the member I4 so that it cannot push thesludge S in front of it. Now, by turning the member I6 to open the pas`sage the upper portions ofthe sludge are washed out and, upon closingthe part I6 thecleaning head again advances.`

There has thus Ibeen provided a simple and efcient device of the kinddescribed and `for the purpose specified.

What is claimed is:

1.3 In a sewer cleaner, a carriage including a frame and wheelssupporting the frame, a piston including a lower segment lixed to theforward end of the frame and an upper segment hinged to the lowersegment and foldable backwardly over the forward end of the frame, guidemeans carried by and extending longitudinally of said frame, aslideguided by said means, links; connecting said slide and the `upper partof said upper segment, springs connecting said slide and frame andurging said slide forwardly and thereby to swing the upper segment intooperative frame, a slide guided by saidmeans, links con-v necting saidslide andthe upper part of said upper segment, springs connecting saidslide and frame and urging said slide forwardly and thereinT to swingthe upper segment into operative position, means connected to said slidefor retracting thel latter against the action of said springs, andtraction means for the carriage connected to the last mentioned means.

ANDREW E. KELPSH.

